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Voices of the Hunter

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Jack Delaney

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Voices of the Hunter

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Peter O'Neill (1917-1981) - Owner Lifeguard Tyres. Recorded 11 December 1980. Part 1/2.

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SummaryTAPE 198A PETER O’NEILL
Recorded on 11th December 1980

00:19
Peter is the grandson of Patrick O’Neill who opened the wine saloon on Wollombi Rd and the youngest son of Patrick O’Neill.
He is the organiser of the company Lifeguard Tyres.

1:12
He was born in Cessnock in 1917.
In his family there was Vince the eldest, Monica, Jack, Des, Rita, Phonse and himself, Peter. Two died when they were very young.

1:56
His mother was a Cowder from Branxton.

2:20
His grandfather, Paddy O’Neill.

2:57
One of his aunts (who lived in Branxton) was the first bride to go on the passenger train on her honeymoon. She married Mr Enright. She was also the first corpse to come back.

3:45
Grandfather Boland was on his mother’s side. Grandfather O’Neill was a character but Peter didn’t remember him well. They talk about the racecourse was near the O’Neill’s wine shop.

5:22
They moved into the Desmond St house in 1924 costing £1400. There was a butter factory behind in 1929. There was a brick yard between Alexander Street and Desmond Street. There was plenty of water and clay. It was deep, plenty of fish and very clear.

7:42
He and Jack D went to school at St Joseph’s.

9:12
He went to Marist Bros after Primary School. He worked for his brother Vince when he left school. Before the war he went to work for Reg Field and in the army. He did a Fitter and Turner technical course. Then 6 months in Sydney. He came back to PJ Taylor’s in Newcastle then to General Rubber then as sales manager for Super Tyre Rubber Co. He left that and in 1949 went out to open his own business.

12:51
There were 4 Foggs on the directors, Mordue, Hawkins, Lewis and Peter
were on the director's board.

14:00
The company went to Maitland, Mayfield and Newcastle over 10
years. £20,000 was paid out in director’s fees.

16:25
In about 1936/7 Peter was involved in radio broadcasting in jazz and sport. 2CK. He did his own advertising. He was the MC at dances for 15 years.
They had a 16 piece band. Kit Kat Club. Peter and Billy Lang used to sing with a big band orchestra doing one night stands visiting country towns.
Embassy Dance. Matt Stewart. The Lind brothers. Western Worker's Club.
Max Bygraves and the songs of the 50s.

27:50
Peter’s golfing career began when he was 17. It was a 9 hole course.
Cessnock Catholic Younger Set. Big Sykes, Johnny Pert, Joe O'Neill and Jim O'Neill. Gus Drummond.

29:34
The Golf Club was past the Showground in Cessnock before they went to Little Cessnock. Peter tells the story of the day when the green fell in due to undermining.

30:35
Club captains. Peter was in the role for 3 years.

34:36
When he moved to Newcastle he took up bowls (particularly against Dave Downey) and spent 4 years there, they were the first to bring women into the Newcastle City Club in 1969.

35:21
"The women made a success of Newcastle City"

39:16
At East Cessnock Bowling Club he was President in 1973. Peter talks about running a tournament - having to raise $24,000. Peter played A Grade Tennis and Table Tennis. He played City and Suburban Cricket in Newcastle.

46:34
The O'Neills were related to the Hartchers. Hammond and Leo Hartcher.
Leo's mother was a niece to Peter's father.

Tape duration:47:13 Last edited by: Dave Trimble

SubjectCessnock (N.S.W.) Last edited by: Dave Trimble

PersonO'Neill, Peter Reginald, 1917-1981 Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Jack Delaney Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Depicts or Relates ToPhonse O'Neill Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Des O'Neill (1904-1991) - Early history of the Catholic Church in Cessnock. Recorded 09 November 1984. Part 1/1. Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

CreatorO'Neill, Peter Reginald, 1917-1981 Last edited by: Dave Trimble

Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010 Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

CollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceCessnock, NSW Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Date Created11th December 1980 Last edited by: Dave Trimble

Location^[1]Lifeguard Tyres, Cessnock Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Identifier198A Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

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